Perceptions of Family Members of Children with Cleft Lip and Palate in Hyderabad, India and its Rural Outskirts Regarding Craniofacial Anomalies.

MedLine Citation:

PMID:
22519557
Owner:
NLM
Status:
Publisher

Abstract/OtherAbstract:

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to understand cultural perspectives on cleft anomalies in the community residing in Hyderabad, India and its rural outskirts. Design: An ethnography was conducted using a twenty-one item interview guide approved by the director of The GSR Institute of Craniofacial Surgery (GSR). Settings: Interviews were conducted at GSR, a specialty surgical center located in Hyderabad, India. Patients and Participants: All patients presented to GSR with either cleft lip, cleft palate, or cleft lip and palate at the time of this study were included. Results: Of the twenty-three (23) families interviewed, twelve (12) mothers believed the cleft was caused by an eclipse, while two (2) believed the scientific explanation their physician offered. Fourteen (14) families were offered no explanation for the cleft lip and/or palate at the time of their first physician visit. Admittedly, no families practiced non-western methods for treatment of the cleft. One (1) family identified beliefs held in the community that their child with a cleft lip was bad luck. Conclusions: A commonly held belief in this community in India is that cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate are caused by an eclipse. There appears to be insufficient education on cleft impairments for families by physicians. Data generated from studies similar to this can be used to design educational protocols that address this gap in community understanding of orofacial clefting. Key Words: Cleft, Culture, Beliefs, Hyderabad.